The next day, classes went on as usual, though the events of the previous night had sent shockwaves through the school.
The scars from that night were still visible. The body of the vampire had been found in Class 4A, a junior classroom. The place was a wreck, desks overturned, blood splattered on the floor and smeared along the wall.
"What happened here?" Pink asked, standing with the others among a crowd of curious students as Mrs. Adams and a few officers investigated the scene.
"From what I can tell, I'd say a vampire was killed," Eska said, her voice low. "And judging by the body, it was a Blue Blood."
"What's a Blue Blood vamp doing in our school?" Summer asked. "Was it hunting someone?"
"I hope not," Eska murmured, her gaze lingering on the decaying body.
Later…
A soft hum from fluorescent lights droned above me. The world tilted slightly as I blinked awake, squinting against the harsh white glow. My head throbbed like I'd been hit with a bat, and something cool was pressed to my forehead.
"She's waking up," a voice said nearby, familiar, a little rough.
Jesse?
I groaned and tried to sit up, but my limbs felt heavy, like they were filled with lead. I turned my head slightly and recognized the sterile, quiet environment of the school infirmary or maybe a hospital room. Blinds were drawn tight, with only slivers of morning light filtering through.
"Hey don't move too fast," Jesse said as he stepped into my view, pulling up a chair beside me. His eyes looked tired, blood smeared faintly across his cheek, and his right arm was tightly bandaged.
"You're… okay?" I croaked.
He gave a half-laugh, the sound dry. "I've been through worse. You, on the other hand, scared the hell out of me."
The memories came rushing back in jagged flashes, the vampire, its snarling face, the blood, the cold bite of terror, the wood sinking in…
"I thought it was going to kill me," I whispered.
"It almost did," Jesse said, looking away for a moment. "If I'd been a second late…"
Silence settled between us like a fog.
"Thanks… for coming," I murmured.
He grinned faintly. "Glad I showed up, or you'd be legend. In a tragic obituary kind of way."
I chuckled softly. It hurt a little, but I needed the laugh.
Just then, the door creaked open. Rejoice entered, her presence both grounding and commanding. Her hair was pulled back in a loose ponytail, and dark circles around her eyes.
"You're awake," she said gently, closing the door behind her.
She walked to the bedside, scanning me with concern. "When I heard what happened, I came straight here. How are you feeling?"
"Okay, I guess," I said, voice cracked.
She nodded slowly. "That's good to hear."
She sat at the edge of the bed, resting a hand lightly over mine. "You're lucky. Jesse was there."
I looked away, guilt bubbling up inside. "I should've known better."
Rejoice shook her head. "No one expects to be attacked just walking home. That's not on you."
"Of course it is. I broke curfew, and… I was drunk," I confessed, shame coloring my voice.
"Yeah, totally on you," Jesse said, not missing a beat. I gave him a tired smirk.
Before Rejoice could respond, a nurse entered, clipboard in hand. "Sorry, I'll need to check her vitals. Can I have the room, please?"
Rejoice and Jesse both nodded, stepping out into the hallway.
Outside in the Hall
The hallway was dimly lit and nearly silent, save for the low hum of machines and distant beeping. Jesse leaned against the wall, arms folded tightly across his chest. He glanced at Rejoice, an unreadable look on his face that gradually twisted into something sharper.
"Is it true?" he asked quietly.
Rejoice frowned. "What?"
"The rumors. You and Raymond."
She looked away, expression guarded. "Why does it matter?"
"Is it true?" Jesse pressed.
"People talk a lot you know. " she muttered.
"Just answer the damn question."
Rejoice sighed, and when she finally met his eyes, her voice cracked. "No, Jesse. It's not true. I didn't sleep with our health teacher."
Jesse stared, skeptical. The silence stretched uncomfortably between them.
Rejoice scoffed bitterly. "You don't believe me?"
"You hang around him… a lot," Jesse muttered. "So yeah, it's possible."
"Seriously?" Her voice rose, trembling with disbelief. "You think I would actually do that?"
"I don't know anymore," he said flatly.
"Wow." She shook her head. "So I'm just guilty by association now? I've known Raymond for years, he's helped me through more than you know. Doesn't mean I'd screw him."
"Then why didn't you deny it sooner?"
Rejoice's eyes flashed. "Do I owe an explanation to every idiot who buys into rumors? Or just to the people who pretend to care?"
Jesse's tone softened, almost reluctantly. "I do care. That's why I'm asking."
Her anger deflated slightly. "I'm sorry," she muttered.
The nurse popped her head out of the room. "Jesse?"
He straightened. "Yeah?"
"She wants to see you."
He gave Rejoice one last look. "We're not done with this conversation." Then he disappeared into the room, leaving her alone in the hallway.
Later That Day, the west wing of the hospital was quiet as I wandered, trying to find the bathroom. Still groggy but able to walk, I followed the faint signs until I found the door. After relieving myself, I emerged to wash my hands before Rivon appeared, she sat on the sink, legs crossed, giggling.
I nearly screamed, "You scared me half to death!"
"You should've seen your face last night," she said between laughs.
I narrowed my eyes. "Wait, you were there?"
She nodded with a mischievous grin.
"You were there and you did nothing? I could've died, Rivon!"
"But you didn't." She shrugged. "Geez, Terra. Calm down."
"Calm down? I was this close to being a blood stain on the sidewalk."
"Well, Jesse came just in time," she said, clearly amused.
I wanted to yell again, but something clicked in my memory.
"Wait…" I turned off the tap. "I think… I foresaw this."
Rivon's smile faded. "What do you mean?"
"I had a vision a while ago. I was being chased… it felt like this. And before that, I saw Resa, Alexa, and Charles dying in a vision too."
She looked at me thoughtfully. "Didn't I tell you you're a dark witch?"
"One or two freaky dreams doesn't mean I'm a witch," I said, shaking my head. "What even is a dark witch?"
Rivon glanced at the door. "That's a conversation for another day." And just like that, she vanished.
Moments Later, at the hospital room in which i stayed, the door creaked open, and Eska and Summer stepped in carrying flowers and a small gift bag.
I blinked in surprise. "What are you guys doing here? Don't you have, like… class?"
"Jesse told us what happened," Eska said, placing the flowers on the table.
Summer rushed over and hugged me tightly. "I'm so, so glad you're okay."
"Me too," I whispered.
Meanwhile, in the Girls' restroom at school, Pink stood at the mirror, applying her lip gloss with robotic precision, her phone in the other hand.
Clary walked in, stopping when she saw her. "Hey… aren't you going to see Terra? Jesse said she almost died last night."
Pink didn't look up. "Good."
Clary froze. "Wait... what?"
"I said good." Pink finally met her gaze, a wicked smile tugging at her lips. "Maybe next time she won't be so lucky."
"You don't mean that."
Pink turned, eyes sharp and disdain "Honestly, I wish that vampire had sunk its teeth in deeper. Maybe then, I wouldn't have to see her face again."
Clary's voice dropped, filled with quiet disbelief. "Seriously, Pink? She messed up, yeah, but she's still our friend. And this? All over Jesse?"
Pink stiffened. "What did you just say?"
"I… I mean, come on," Clary said carefully.
Pink narrowed her eyes, stepped closer.
"Jesse is mine." She hissed "And no one, I mean no one is going to take him away from me."
Then she turned and stormed out, leaving the air charged with jealousy.